Meta-verse vs. Bible-verse
Before technology there was God's creation, and humans lived-in and were surrounded by nature every day.
From Nature To Screens
With the introduction of the drive-in theater, people could be outside while being entertained by human scripts played out on a large screen. Though the first drive-in theaters came about in 1910, they became main stream by the mid 1930s.
Around that time, indoor movie theaters boomed as well. This indoor experience eliminated the sights, sounds, and surroundings of nature and replaced them by corralling people into an enormous dark room. Compared to its outdoor counterpart, the movie theater screen was reduced in size and was moved closer to the audience.
By 1941 the first commercial broadcast appeared on television, and soon, television screens made their way into private homes and living rooms all across the nation. Once again, made with a smaller screen and moved physically closer to the viewers. Its in-home use increased the time it was used as well; rather than a rare treat, it was able to become a daily device.
Home computers, readily available in the 1980s, allowed the user to be even closer - instead of across the room, the screen was now across a desk.
Laptops allowed the screen to be moved onto the lap of the user - and the screen less than an arms length away, by the 1990s.
By the early 2000s smartphones made their way into the purses, pockets, and hands of the public. Another downsizing of the screen encouraged an even closer distance, not just against the body but closer to the face of its users as well, often leaving people distracted or unaware of their physical surroundings. Rather than an at-home device, it allowed a more constant, all-day use that one could bring with them.
Today, in the 2020s virtual reality is becoming increasingly popular. The screens are smaller once again, and this time, they're not only attached to the users face, but even their peripheral vision is closed off, like blinders, from the physical world, and from reality; from nature, and God.
Technology As A Tool
Just to be clear, I don't think technology itself is evil, corrupt, or even a bad thing; but like most tools, it's the use of them that becomes either good or bad.
From Wide to Narrow Vision
In general, it seems the closer humans are to our screens, and the more time we devote to them, the less aware we are of our surroundings, and we become blind to the world around us. We see less of God's nature, and more of man creation. Less of the Creator, and more of man's created things.
“We focus less on God and more on man.”
Focus & Thought
Though multi-tasking is often a point of pride for some, humans can't truly and deeply focus on more than one thing at a time.
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” - Matthew 6:24
God warned us about the dangers of focusing too much on man, where we spend our time, and how it leads to pride, lust, and all kinds of other things that are governed by satan.
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” - 1 John 2:15-17
Thought Becomes Action
God tells us why He warned against such things, because it changes what we think; and what we think, changes our choices, and determines our future actions.
“We become more like the things we think about most.”
During the same timeframe, as humans focus less on God and more on man, we also see the rise of more human-created catastrophes, like an increase in the frequency of wars, the removal of prayer and God from public schools, an increase in violence, pride, divorce, and hatred. These are all consequences of a life without God. A life without God is also a life without hope.
“Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” - Ephesians 2:12
Coincidence or Consequence?
In the 1930's as human-focused drive-in theaters rise across cities, so too begins the rise of Hitler.
As the first commercial broadcast appeared on television in the 1940s, the atomic bomb was first used as a weapon, and China was claimed as a Communist state. Several years later, the Berlin Wall was erected, and stood not only as a physical separation, but a symbol of the divided world. The US president was assassinated, and in the following years we see an increase of riots and wars across the world.
Home computers, readily available in the 1980s enter the homes of Americans, while the worst famine in historical record hits Ethiopia. Two years later the US space shuttle explodes killing all onboard. Chernobyl became the location of the worst nuclear power plant catastrophe in history and this was the era of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
By the 1990s as laptops land on laps, wars increase and on 9/11 American Airlines flight 11 was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York, killing thousands and changing the lives of millions across the planet. Over time, more humans are moving into cities which further separates them from daily witnessing the nature of God's creation.
In the early 2000s as smartphones enter the pockets, hatred fills the hearts of man, as school massacres occur from Beslan Russia to across the globe, and in the same year, the soon-to-be social media giant Facebook is launched. Within months of people "connecting" online, the earth shook (at Mw 9.3) in the Indian Ocean, one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded on a seismograph, killing more than 300,000 people across 14 countries. This was followed by Hurricane Katrina, and the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. A 9.0 earthquake and subsequent Tsunami (with a wall of water 133 feet high) hits east Japan and shifts the earth on its axis by between 4 and 10 inches. And despite so-called advances in science and medicine, we see an increase in cancer (in numbers, types, and severity) that have never existed in such extremes in the history of the world. Human tragedies increased exponentially during these 20 years.
As we enter the 2020s virtual reality, obesity, depression, a loss of hope, and poor health are at all-time highs. Increases in man-made illnesses, medical errors, and the number of people dying at the hands of western medicine are skyrocketing. Along with increased side effects of pharmaceuticals (as much as "20 times greater" in the past year than all of history combined), along with the manipulation of our God-given genes. As we enter this next timeframe, we're already witnessing an exponential increase in violence and godlessness.
I'm not saying that each of these directly caused the other, but as a whole - as the majority of the world rejects God, we pay the consequences for it.
“But transgressors and sinner will be crushed together, and those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.” - Isaiah 1:28
“The Lord will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke, in all you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken Me.” - Deuteronomy 28:20
Remove God, Remove All Good Things
It's as if the world forgot that all good things come from God - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and so much more. If we remove God from our lives, families, and homes, and strip Him out of our education, remove Him from our laws and governments, then, we're left with satan's realm - full of hatred, chaos, war, anger, pride, fear, and so much more. All these things are not a surprise, Jesus Himself, told us these things must come to pass.
What's To Come Is Far Worse
According to both history, and more importantly, God and the Bible, we know what is to come in our future. More and more people will turn away from God, and therefore tragedies and disasters will increase in number, frequency, and impact.
Eventually, one third of the earth will be burned up, one third of the sea and spring waters made unusable, one third of the life in the sea killed, one third of the shipping industry destroyed, one third of the moon, stars, and light from the sun will be darkened. The use of pharmaceuticals will increase, along with an increase in medical-caused injury and death, along with immorality and murder, until one third of the human population is killed, followed by several more horrific events.
“You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.... Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.” - Matthew 24:6, 12
Meta-verse
At the announcement of a more encompassing virtual reality, the world glimpses into the future. Language, words, and their roots contain power. Any Hebrew speaking person, or any Christian who studies their Greek and Hebrew - to know what the Bible says in it original languages - all saw the writing on the wall at the announcement. The word "Meta" in Hebrew, means "dead". When we add this to the idea of a universe, perhaps we see a gathering place for unbelievers, those who are "dead in Christ", to unite against God and those who love Him. While technology can be used for good, as a whole, it's certainly being marketed toward an audience who wants more of man and less of God.
Here are a few differences...
Meta-Verse Bible-Verse
Focused on man Focused on God
Earthly perspective Eternal perspective
Seeing through a narrow aperture Seeing through a wide aperture
that reduces light that allows in more light
Blinders and reduced peripheral Bigger picture and increased peripheral
Seen in cities/technology Seen in nature
Requires updates Always up to date
Focuses on the created Focuses on the Creator
The word and promises of man The Word and promises of God
Focus On God
Thankfully, God also tells us what to spend our time and thoughts doing, and to put these thoughts into action. We're also told the reason why - because it brings the blessing of God's peace.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:8-9
Expand Your Universe - To God's Bible-verse
As the world restricts their vision, closes off their eyes to God and His creation, they walk further into the darkness of the world they chose.
We can decide to spend more of our time, thoughts, and life in God's universe. Spending time in His nature is a fabulous place. And daily habits spent in the universe of His word - the Bible - is also a necessary part of human existence.
The Bible-verse is a far greater universe than most people realize. It encompasses more than we can possibly learn in a lifetime, and I look forward to the challenge of learning as much as I can while I'm here. This Bible-verse, is so amazing, it will expand your mind, and God will give you peace in a darkening world.
You might be surprised to discover so much more in the Bible's universe than you expect, including insight into the future, descriptions of quantum physics, energy, nuclear weapons, the power of thought, how everything is dynamic energy, advanced technology, numerous dimensions, inter-dimensional beings, DNA manipulation, and so much more.
The Bible is not a history book, but the divinely inspired Word of God that's written for us so we will know what is to come, how to prepare, and to know peace in the midst of what is about to happen here.
Step into the light of God's Bible-verse. A realm so much wider than you imagined, far beyond the limits of human imagination and the restraints of the laws of physics. You might be surprised at the vast wisdom, freedom, and blessings you discover here. Welcome home.
#MetaverseVsBibleverse #GodFocused #NeverLoseSightOfGod #SeeGodInNature #LessManMoreGod #GodIsBigger #AlwaysMoreToLearn
Ready To Know Peace?
Check out my blog post titled Know God, Know Peace. You can know for sure that you're going to heaven and spending eternity with God. It's a free gift! Learn more here:
#endtimes #bibletruth #whatdoesjesussay #whenwilljesusreturn #endofthworld #soyouwillknow #bepreparednotscared #eternalsecurity
I tell you these things, not to convince you, but to spark curiosity and encourage you to dig deep and explore these issues for yourself.
As always, don't take my word for it.
Examine the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are true.
"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica,
for they received the word with eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."
- Acts 17:11
Written by Lori Grimmett, a student of Biblical studies for more than 40 years,
and of Biblical theology and eschatology for more than 25 years.
Comments